Rumesh sways with near-Olympic Qualification throw
Men's Javelin Throw gold medalist Rumesh Tharanga (R) with bronze medal winner Sumedha Ranasinghe (R) and Women's bronze medalist Dilhani Lekamge
The 21-year-old javelin thrower, Rumesh Tharanga made a significant mark when he set a new Asian Throwing Championships record and a Sri Lankan national record at the 2nd Asian Throwing Championships in Mokpo, South Korea yesterday. Tharanga achieved a remarkable throw of 85.45 metres in the Men’s Javelin event. This distance not only secured him a prestigious title at the championships but also positioned him as a strong contender for a place in the Paris Olympics later in the year.
Tharanga’s throw of 85.45 meteres fell just short of the direct qualification mark for the Olympics by a mere 5 centimetres. The qualifying standard set for the Paris Olympics in javelin throw stands at 85.50 metres.
In another impressive display for Sri Lanka, Sumedha Ranasinghe threw a seasonal best of 77.57 metres, earning him a commendable third-place finish in the competition.
Prior to these achievements, Dilhani Lekamge had also contributed to the country’s success at the championships by winning the bronze medal in the Women’s Javelin Throw event. Lekamge’s throw of 57.94 metres marked her best performance of the ongoing season, highlighting her dedication and competitive spirit on the international stage.